If you’re itching to flex your credit card, London has plenty of shopping events and shop openings to keep you happy.

New Design Shops in Boxpark

If you’re looking for an excuse to redecorate, swing by East London pop-up mall Boxpark where a slew of art and design shops have opened up. Jealous Gallery exhibits prints for sale, alongside books, posters, bags, gifts and discounted frames. Hungry for Hungarian designer clobber? Hungarian Design Pop Up is showcasing some of the country’s most exciting contemporary designers at the mall for two months (until September). The glorious product range includes everything from cutting edge fashion to cult trainers, artisan chocolates to hybrid electric bikes. Hailing from Switzerland, Gateau Shop has opened a pop-up shop for three months. The shop is stashed with designer energy-saving light bulbs, limited edition Joe Cruz prints and silk scarves, and prints from Copenhagen-based illustrator Silke Bonde.

Traffic-free Fun in Regent Street

Regent Street is turning traffic-free every Sunday in July as part of Summer Streets which seeks to bring you a dazzling array of activities, entertainment and pop-up events. Sunday 21 July is dedicated to celebrating fashion on the world’s longest catwalk which takes central stage on the mile of style. Wannabe models and fashionistas can strut their stuff down the 100m catwalk and be photographed as they do so. Also look out for live jazz, street-busking, acrobats and hair art. On 28 July, Regent Street is going green for the day. You can stroll amongst trees and plants while learning about how to create urban gardens and keep bees in the metropolis.

Vintage Fashion Fair

Finally, here’s a key date for the diary for fans of vintage fashion. To celebrate London Fashion week, Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair is returning to the Old Finsbury Town Hall on 15 September from 11am-5pm. Shoppers can expect big-wig labels including Westwood, Lacroix, Alaia and Bodymap. The fair is as much a fun event as it is a serious fashion one. Refuel at the tea salon which will be serving up award-winning cakes and tea. And if you’re planning a big night out, treat your barnet to some retro styling at the vintage salon.

New Furniture Store

Furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse has opened its first-ever London store in Battersea. Occupying two floors of one of the most historic buildings south of the Thames – the old Candle Factory on York Road, Battersea, the store is spread over 25,000 square feet. Stocking a wide range of contemporary furniture and accessories, Barker and Stonehouse is the go-to-shop for on-trend interiors, from retro-chic designs to homeware with a recycled industrial feel. There’s also an in-store café.

Happy shopping!

]]>What’s On This Weekend: 5-7 July 2013http://blog.visitlondon.com/2013/07/whats-on-this-weekend-5-7-july-2013/
http://blog.visitlondon.com/2013/07/whats-on-this-weekend-5-7-july-2013/#commentsMon, 01 Jul 2013 09:00:46 +0000http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=34297In case you hadn’t noticed that summer is upon us, this weekend’s amazing series of festivals should get you in a sunny mood – whatever the weather!

Barclaycard British Summer Time at Hyde Park

Head to Hyde Park for two weekends of fantastic music, featuring sets from the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Elton John, Jennifer Lopez and many more. As well as a world class line-up of music every evening at weekends, you can also enjoy live comedy, film, sport and much more during the week, which is centred around three fun festival areas within the park. Tickets to music events start from £55, and you can find out more programme details on our event page. 5 – 14 Jul

Carnaby Sound

London’s iconic Carnaby Street hosts Carnaby Sound, a free one-day music festival this Saturday, as part of its year-long celebration of music. More than 15 live bands will be playing throughout the area, covering all the musical genres that have made Carnaby so famous – everything from blues and jazz to mod, urban and rock. The main stage will be on the Liberty department store roof, but music, giveaways, exhibitions and much more will be happening all over the area throughout the day. The festival takes place between 12pm – 7pm. 6 Jul

Summer Streets on Regent Street

Love shopping but hate the traffic that separates you from your favourite shops? Head to Regent Street on Sundays for the next four weeks, where the roads will be pedestrianised as part of the Summer Streets programme. Between 10am to 7pm every Sunday in July, Regent Street will become a traffic-free environment that hosts installations, entertainment, live music and – of course – unparalleled shopping opportunities! Shops are typically open from 12pm to 6pm. Until 28 Jul

elBulli: Ferran Adrià and The Art of Food at Somerset House

There are few more famous names in the culinary world than elBulli, or indeed Ferran Adrià – the renowned Spanish chef who transformed it into the globe’s premier destination for molecular gastronomy. You can now get closer to the world of elBulli than ever before, thanks to this fascinating new exhibtion at Somerset House, which takes you behind the scenes of the restaurant and explains how Adrià’s unique dishes went from concept to delicious reality. Tickets are £10. 5 Jul – 29 Sep

Silly Sports Day at the Queen of Hoxton

Do you and four friends think you have what it takes to be crowned sporting champions? Head to popular Shoreditch pub the Queen of Hoxton to test your mettle: you’ll be pitted against other teams in events such as beer pong, speed foosball and limbo! As well as the chance to be crowned champions, you can enjoy a BBQ on the terrace, DJ music and lots of other sports day fun. Entry for a team of 5 is £50. 6 Jul

Truck Stop, Woodwharf

Experience phenomenal street food at Truck Stop, which brings more than 20 of the UK’s best food trucks to Woodwharf in London’s docklands. Not only can you buy tasty meals at the likes of Mother Clucker, Spit & Roast and Baba G, but you can also enjoy a locally-produced tipple at one of the many bars. Entry is £10, which includes 10 truck stop dollars for you to spend. 4-5 Jul